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GLOBAL – The first thing they’ll teach you, after ‘Remember to turn your camera on’ and ‘don’t hold your finger in front of the lens’, is ‘hold your camera still’. Such hogwash – some of the most beautiful and dynamic photos can be taken by moving your camera about. Break the rules and make some high-flying photos!

Most of the time, it makes perfect sense to hold your camera as still as possible, but we’re photographers, not robots. We want to explore, amaze, and entertain with our photographs. That’s not going to happen by standing around like statues all day, is it?

There are two main types of motion in photography: Movement of your camera, or movement of your subject. You can use both to creative effect, but moving your camera is often a more dramatic way of making abstract art.

To create abstract artworks on your Nokia N8, set your camera to manual mode, turn off the flash, and set the ISO to low. This combination means that you get longer shutter times – perfect to capture some motion! Head out at night, and find an area with some bright lights, and start experimenting.

There are a many different effects you can achieve, depending on the shape, colour and brightness of the light sources. A city in the distance looks very different than Christmas tree lighting in your garden, for example. The effect you get ultimately depends on how you move your camera during the exposure: Small movements can create completely different shapes, while you can swing your arm in a large arc for dramatic, swooshing motions.

A set of venetian blinds and a bit of sunshine can give funky-looking results - this was done by rotating the camera quickly whilst taking the shot. (Shot on a Nokia N8)

If you’re feeling brave, set your camera phone to a 2-second self exposure, and then throw it up in the air while the photo gets taken. Make sure you’re good at catching, though!

Some fairy-lights left over from Christmas came in handy for this shot: Set your camera to low ISO and turn off the flash. Then move it quickly whilst pressing the shutter button for this effect. (Shot on a Nokia N8)

This type of night-time photography is 20% skill, 30% inspiration and 50% luck, so don’t give up until you’ve tried a few times – you’ll get the swing of it before you know it!

Some high-speed motion is all it takes to turn a bundle of Christmas lights into a space-age masterpiece. (Shot on a Nokia N8)

Some extra night-time shots

Make sure you keep a tight hold when you take photos like this - you have to move it quite fast when you wave it in the air, and you don't want your shiny new phone to go flying.

Some of the best results can be had in environments with lots of colour. Traffic lights, cars, and shop windows are great for this!

You don't have to wait until completely after nightfall, but if you are too eager and try this during the day, your photos won't come out blurry enough.

A theatre sign with lots of lights can be turned into a compelling piece of art - although my arm went numb because I had to keep trying to get this shot!